Santa belly-laughed, “Ho! Ho! Ho!”
Blane patted the seat of one of the chairs. “Sit here, Santa. The fire’s warmed it up for you.”
“Yeah, it’s your chair. Nobody else can sit there,” Lance said. “I tried, but Blane pulled me out and dropped my ass on the floor.”
“Lance, watch your language,” Kevin said.
“Sure, Dad. But tell him”—Lance pointed at Remy. “And him”—he pointed at Austin. “And him”—he pointed at David—“to watch their language, too. They say ass all the time.”
“And him”—Kevin pointed at his son. “Sit your ass down, or you’re not going to get any presents.”
“Jesus, Dad. Watch your language,” Blane said.
“It’s pres…sent!” Lance said. “This Santa has”—he held up his finger—“only one for us.”
Kevin put his hands on his hips and tapped his fingers. “Sit down, son. We’ll talk about this later.”
Elliott stroked his fluffy white beard. Kevin was a wonderful father and husband, and Elliott was so proud of him. Because of Kevin’s financial acumen, Elliott had him evaluate all business decisions, and he’d made millions for the family.
“Okay, who’s first?” Elliott asked.
“You have to pull a present out of the bag and call out whose picture is on the present,” Jack’s daughter Margaret Ann said.
“So that’s how it’s done? Well, what if I don’t know who it is?”
“That’s impossible. You know all the children,” Jean said.
For the next two hours, gifts were given and received. The volume in the room got louder and louder, and wrapping paper littered the floor. Joseph looked ready to cry.
Elliott whispered to Meredith. “Mrs. Claus needs to comfort the wee lad.”
Meredith got Joseph’s attention and patted her lap. “Come sit with me.”
Joseph glanced up at his dad, and Tavis winked at Meredith. “Go on, buddy. She’s a nice lady, just like Granny Mere.”
Joseph plodded toward Meredith, sidestepping the kids, presents, and wrapping paper. When he reached Meredith, he grabbed her hand and climbed up into her lap.
“Jean told me about Santa and Mrs. Claus and presents, and all, but I couldn’t… I mean… I don’t understand. Robbie and Henry told me you aren’t real.”
“They did?” Meredith asked, giving Robbie and Henry pointed looks.
“They said parents tell kids four big lies about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the tooth fairy, and where babies come from. But you’re real.”
Meredith looked at Elliott. “Yes, Joseph. Santa and Mrs. Claus are here to help you celebrate Christmas because we love you.”
Elliott watched Jean’s reaction to the attention Joseph was getting from Mrs. Claus. What would he do now? It took about thirty seconds before Jean approached Meredith.
“Mrs. Claus, Joseph and I are twins. We do everything together. Can I sit on your lap, too?”
“You certainly can, young man.”
Jean climbed up, and as soon as he got settled, Maddie jumped up into Elliott’s lap, and the kids rolled on the floor laughing. “Maddie’s sitting on Santa’s lap.”
Cameras flashed while Maddie sat still, wearing her Christmas bandana, acting like the princess she thought she was. Elliott glanced over at Ensley and Austin cuddled up on the sofa with his arm around her, his hand rubbing her belly. George and Barb sat on the floor with the kids, calmly taking it all in. The couple had only flown in yesterday to celebrate Christmas and help plan a spring wedding.
“Jean, see that package by Mrs. Claus’s foot?” Elliott pointed to the package with Maddie’s picture on it. “Would ye get that for me?” Jean picked up the box, and Elliott asked him to open it.
“Tennis balls!” Jean said. “Are they for Maddie?”
“They sure are,” Elliott said. “Do ye want to give her one of them?” Instead of pulling one out, Jean dumped all twelve on the floor, and they bounced and rolled everywhere. Maddie jumped down and dove into a stack of wrapping paper, chasing one of the balls.
Two hours later, when the excitement had worn off, Maddie was sleeping at Austin’s feet, and the younger kids were rubbing their eyes.
“It’s time to go, Santa,” Mrs. Claus said. “You have a long night ahead.”
“Ho! Ho! Ho!” Santa said. “I have to go to work now.”
Santa and Mrs. Claus walked to the door that led to the pool, outdoor kitchen, and entertainment center. “Merry Christmas to all!”
“Good night, Santa,” all the kids yelled.
Elliott and Meredith planned to walk around to the front of the house, sneak inside, and change their clothes before rejoining the celebration for more of Penny and Amber’s appetizers. But they stopped a minute to gaze into the window and watch all the people they loved, laughing and hugging each other.
Elliott put his arm around Meredith. “All in all, it’s been an okay year.”
She gazed up at him. “I miss James Cullen too, Elliott. My heart breaks for what he’s been through, and I’m scared to death he’ll always suffer from what happened to him.”
“Ye’re normally the optimistic one, not me, but I believe it’ll all work out.” Elliott put his hand on the glass, and Meredith put hers on top of his.
“Bless the family, Elliott, then let’s enjoy a private celebration for a while.”
He smiled. “Goodnight, lads and lassies. May God hold each of ye in the palm of his hand.”
THE END
AUTHOR NOTES
“We have unleashed monsters that will commit atrocities. I am responsible, and so is my son—the last MacKlenna.” – Dr. Elliott Fraser, Keeper of the Brooches.
When I started plotting The Sunstone Brooch, I intended to go to Medora and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and my plans changed. So, Ensley’s “follow the water” trek across the Badlands is based on Google Maps.
All mistakes in mileage, distances, and towns are my own.
In nearly forty years in public and private life, the cowboy image remained an essential element of Teddy Roosevelt’s persona. He took the cowboy off the pages of western lore and turned him into a flesh and blood character. By 1885, TR was still a restless and easily influenced young man searching for himself, seeking direction, and renewed purpose.
I read several books and
